Hollies are either male or female – only the females berry.
Very few are self-fertile, so a female generally needs a male nearby (in the same garden or a neighbour’s) to produce berries. Over pruning may be the reason for a non-berrying holly (hollies only fruit on wood two years old, or more). Late pruning (only prune in late winter/early spring), or drought or frost at flowering time, are other causes.
5 CHOICE HOLLIES
1. Ilex crenata ‘Golden Gem’
This is such a classy, graceful plant, especially when cloud- or topiary-pruned; in small cultivar form it is a fabulous ground cover plant. 5ft (1.5m) high and wide.
2. Ilex x koehneana ‘Chestnut Leaf’
Conspicuously toothed leaves that are more sweet chestnut than holly (hence the name). Also produces clusters of red berries. 33ft (10m) high x 13ft (4m) wide.
3. ‘J. C. Van Tol’
Produces berries freely and has glossy, dark green foliage and a dense pyramidal form, making it very good for hedges.
4.Ilex aquifolium ‘Handsworth New Silver’
This holly has just the right balance of variegation to green leaf; a dark green centre with a cream edge and lots of berries. 13ft (4m) high x 6ft (2m) wide.
5. Ilex integra ‘Gold Leaf’
This is a fairly new hybrid and it requires a bit of searching to find it, but it is definitely worth it for its amazing, pure gold new foliage. 6ft (2m) high x 5ft (1.5m) wide.
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